遺書(いしょ)

いしょ
noun
will; testament; suicide note
1. will; testament; last letter
A document left behind by a deceased person, expressing their final wishes, instructions, or messages to the living.
遺書(いしょ)を書(か)き残(のこ)す。
To leave behind a will.
祖父(そふ)の遺書(いしょ)が見(み)つかった。
My grandfather's will was found.
遺書(いしょ)には家族(かぞく)への感謝(かんしゃ)の言葉(ことば)がつづられていた。
The will contained words of gratitude to the family.
2. suicide note
A note or letter left behind by a person who has taken their own life.
遺書(いしょ)は残(のこ)されていなかった。
No suicide note was left behind.
机(つくえ)の上(うえ)に遺書(いしょ)が置(お)かれていた。
A suicide note had been placed on the desk.
警察(けいさつ)は遺書(いしょ)の内容(ないよう)から自殺(じさつ)と断定(だんてい)した。
The police determined it was suicide based on the contents of the note.

The legal term for a will is 遺言(いごん)/遺言書(いごんしょ) (or 遺言(ゆいごん) in everyday speech), which specifically deals with the distribution of property. 遺書(いしょ) is broader — it can be any final written message, including personal letters and suicide notes. Common collocations: 遺書(いしょ)を書(か)く (to write a will/note), 遺書(いしょ)を残(のこ)す (to leave behind a note), 遺書(いしょ)が見(み)つかる (a note is found).

general
Added 2026.3.24 19:05 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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